I disagree. I cant imagine a reg thinking that the only reason we are now offering them a discount is because business is slow. Regs would actually be grateful that we are giving them something back as they have spent quite a lot on us

The genuine ones maybe. But there are a lot of regulars who will take advantage of your kindness and start to push for more.
Respectful regulars will be grateful you are still seeing them and giving them the great service they got the first time, most of them don't care for a discount in my opinion.

Infact three of my regulars very regularly tip me, I give something back by being lenient with my time. I feel if I started to give discounts some would start to think they are more special and important than others, I've had it happen before.

I spend lots at my local nail shop and don't expect a discount for going every couple of weeks without fail for years. All I expect is the same amazing service they give me each time and the nice cup of tea they always give me and sometimes cake!

I actually do have a loyalty card scheme - five bookings and sixth one is free! Never hurts to give a bit back...

I hope you are joking..my local beauty salon offer 25% off after 10 bookings, I think that's really generous.

I only tour now, but when I had a base I was considering doing a "Make X bookings, get one free" system.

Hair dressers, nail salons, etc may not have a loyalty card system but they can (and most do) take advantage of Groupon deals etc to get new customers through the door. That's not open to us, but finding creative ways of marketing to improve our business is always on the table.

One thing I offer: I price my 90 mins and 2hr appointments at more than the cost of my half hour + hour rate or 2x hour rate, specifically because I want to discourage those longer bookings as I find them very tiring. If I get a customer who I know I get on well with and won't find a longer booking draining, I offer them a lower price. Win-win - the client gets the booking length he wants at the lower price, and I get a still-decent amount for a booking I know won't exhaust me.

Now that I have a regular touring circuit, after a good booking I've decided to say to clients "If you keep an eye on my profile to see when I'm back in the area, if you book again I can do you a good deal on my published rate." I will only do this with clients who I've enjoyed the booking with though!

At the end of the day we are a -luxury- and that's why our prices are what they are. At the end of they day they can always window shop and buy into private galleries, used knickers and anything else we offer. If they want the real deal they need to be prepared to understand that we run a business and our time is money. Literally!

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